Earlier today, Carmine Simpson was sentenced to 23 years in prison by United States District Judge Gary R. Brown at the federal courthouse in Central Islip. Simpson, a former officer of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), pleaded guilty on March 24, 2023, to one count of sexually exploiting a minor. His offenses involved engaging children in sexual conversations online, coercing them into sending nude images and videos, and instructing them to harm themselves physically.
Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's New York Field Office, announced the sentencing.
“The defendant’s repeated sexual solicitation and exploitation of minors is reprehensible,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “That he was a law enforcement officer at the time he committed these crimes makes his conduct even more horrific. My Office will continue to work to protect vulnerable children from predators like the defendant.”
“Carmine Simpson betrayed his badge by preying upon minors for twisted sexual gratification. Simpson repeatedly prowled online for minor victims before coercing them to provide sexually explicit and degrading content,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “The FBI will never tolerate any individual who exploits children, especially those with sworn duties to protect them.”
Simpson targeted children on Twitter by posing as a 17-year-old boy using multiple profiles and filters to alter his appearance. Law enforcement became aware of his actions in December 2020 when John Doe 2's mother reported finding inappropriate chat communications on her child's computer.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project brings together federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and rescue victims.
Assistant United States Attorney Megan E. Farrell is leading the prosecution under E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-97 (GRB).
